This is War

Chapters

Introduction: Sanctuary
(1) Nightmares
(2) Battle
(3) Loss
(4) Dreams

Introduction: Sanctuary

Princess Twilight opened a large door to a slightly large half-empty room, small candles lighting up as she entered. She walked forward shutting the door behind her, shutting her eyes slightly listening to the clink of her armor and hooves clopping on the hard stone floor, echoing through the room. Twilight stood in roughly the center then opened her eyes, glancing around the room.

Pictures from her adventures with her friends hung around the room, along with a few of their belongings. She glanced toward a large, burnt, root clump, small cracked gems hanging off of it. The chandelier was one of the few remains of her old home in Ponyville, The Golden Oaks Library, and later, her castle. A number of the gems were cracked, and hardly able to display the memories of her friends. She had made a few custom gems shaped like her friend’s cutie marks as a symbol of her promise to fight and hung them on the remains of the chandelier.

Twilight sat there in front of what was left of her memories before the war started. She looked at the burnt photos of her adventures, and the belongings of her friends. She took off her helmet and put it down next to her and lowered her head as tears formed in her eyes. She began softly crying to herself.

“I can’t believe that it’s been two years since you guys died…” Twilight whimpered as she felt exhausted as she let herself cry, lamenting over the loss of those who have lost their loved ones as she has. She could feel the spirit of her friends as she sat there. After a while Twilight could feel soft shaking hooves wrapping around her shoulders, giving her comfort. "I don't know how I'm going to keep up with this, Cadence..." she whispered.

“I know, I miss them too...” Cadence said, a warble to her words. Twilight turned into Cadence's embrace and hugged her back, they both sat there in the room of memories and comforted each other as they cried.

-One year earlier-

Chrysalis threw the element she had been holding against the wall of the nursery. “Why isn't this working?” she yelled at no one in particular, stomping a hoof next to another of the elements.

Suddenly a light blue light caught her attention, the element of laughter, now lying against the wall, had started blinking the base of the balloon pointing towards the wall. Chrysalis picked up the offending thing. She waved it about, the glow seemed to get brighter the closer it got to her secret door. After thinking for a moment, a smile grew on her face as she picked the rest of the elements up and rushed into the room where her dying eggs lay, hoping she could revive them. The room was filled with flashing colors as the gems matched. She placed each gem with the glowing egg and quietly waited, watching the constant pattern of the light.

Minutes passed, feeling like hours to Chrysalis, but she waited hardly moving a muscle. She didn’t dare to take her eyes off of the eggs. After a few more moments, the glows slowly dimmed and died. She hung her head and let out a soft sigh, giving up as a small tear roll down her face.

“I’m sorry, children…” she whimpered.

Suddenly, an egg began to move slightly as Chrysalis watched. A strange-looking changeling slowly crawled out, having a light pink curly mane. Chrysalis felt tears well up in her eyes as she watched her new children be born. The other eggs hatched as her tears fell down her face.

Author's Note

Okay, so this is mostly me rambling but please read the whole thing here if you can.

...it's finally here... IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!! AFTER THREE YEARS IT'S FINALLY HEEEEEERRREEEEEE!!!!!!!! (okay, enough fangirling, Script... :twilightblush: ) HOLY FREAKING CHEESECAKE NUGGET FLUFF THIS TOOK ME FOREEEEEEVER TO WRITE! I know I'm on my hiatus right now, but I have been writing this since I was still writing Cold, so I was a little excited to post... but anyway, yay it's here!!! Hope you guys like it! I will be posting updates on this, so please keep an eye out on my blog for updates. Also, yes I know it's short and confusing, but the part with Chrysalis will be explained later on in another story coming soon. Forgive if the writing sounds sloppy, I think it needs a few more edits here and there... I was just excited to finally post the story.

(1) Nightmares

Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Crystal Mane ran as fast as they could, explosions igniting behind them. Twilight panted hard, refusing to let herself stop in risk of putting not only herself at risk but the others.

"We have to find shelter!" Luna yelled over the loud explosions.

Suddenly out of nowhere, darkness filled their vision as the explosions stopped. The ponies stopped running, looking around confused. A loud thundering boom roared in the air. Twilight felt herself falling and hitting the ground. She let out a grunt from the impact. She could hear the others falling as well. Twilight shook her head as she regained her senses. "Is everyone alright?" she asked as she sat herself up.

"Princesses, where are you?" Crystal yelled looking around.

"Crystal Mane?" Twilight uttered. "I can't see anything, anyone else has any luck?"

"What's going on, where are we?" Cadence asked.

The ponies kept talking over each other, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Everypony, calm down. We'll be fine," Celestia said. "We just need to-”

Twilight heard a sudden loud scream from Cadence. She turned toward the sound but only saw darkness. "Cadence, what happened?" Twilight said. She couldn't hear her voice.

"Sister, what's happening?" Luna asked.

Twilight regained her vision slightly, finding Cadence a few feet in front of her. She ran up to her, but stopped once she saw what laid before her.

Cadence laid on the ground motionless, her eyes rolled into the back of her head as slight blood dripped from her mouth. Twilight stood motionless, horrified at the sight.

"I don't know Luna," Celestia said. "But we-" She stopped speaking as a sudden pain emerged inside of her body causing her to scream out in pain, Luna following. Twilight's vision disappeared once more, then returned after a few moments, showing all three of the princesses laying dead on the ground.

"No!" Twilight gasped in horror. She brought her hooves to her head, trying to control her thoughts.

Suddenly, bodies of ponies she knew appeared around Twilight, lying motionless on the ground. She stared in horror as memories flooded back into her mind. Voices echoed through her head.

You could have saved them, Princess... A voice echoed.

Twilight shook her head. "It wasn't my fault!" She cried. "I... I..."

They died because of you...

Suddenly, the bodies crawled over to her, grabbing Twilight on her hooves. She pulled away frantically and ran as fast as her hooves could go. The bodies chased after her, screaming and crying out, reaching for her once more. One managed to grab her tail, causing her to scream out in pain. She fell to the ground, tripping as the bodies crawled on top of her, holding her down tight.

"You could have saved us......"

"NO!" Twilight screamed as she felt herself being dragged into the ground. Her vision grew black, and everything went cold...

Twilight woke up in shock, panting hard as sweat dripped down her head. Her heart pounded against her chest. She stared over at her nieces' side, sleeping soundly. Twilight took a deep breath as she slowly exhaled.

"Another dream..." Twilight thought. She let out another deep breath as she got out of her bed to go take a walk and clear her mind.

She opened the door slowly, trying not to wake the young filly from her slumber, closing it behind her. She walked out into the hall, taking slow steps to pace herself. She tried to process what was in her dream, why it felt so real... Who were the ponies that were in the dream, what it might have meant? Was it some sort of sign?

Suddenly, she thought she heard a voice, causing her to turn around, but saw nothing, so she continued walking. The voice grew slightly louder as whispers filled her ears.

Her breath slowed down as she felt her vision doubling. She thought she saw her brother Shining Armor standing in front of her, but she shut her eyes for a moment and gently shook her head to regain her vision. The form before her kept changing into other ponies she knew and had lost.

“What’s happening…?” Twilight muttered. “My head…”

She leaned up against the wall as a loud ringing noise rang through her head. She sat down and brought a hoof to her head, groaning softly.

The ringing grew louder as her vision continued blurring. She tried to focus her vision, figure out who was the pony standing in front of her. She shut her eyes once more as the ringing grew louder. She kept mumbling to herself as her breathing grew faster and ringing continued, voices whispering in her head, repeating things from her dream. She opened her eyes, finding the image forming into Chrysalis, but then faded suddenly.

Twilight opened her eyes wide as she tried to process everything, but the image of the creatures dragging her back into the darkness filled her mind, causing her body to grow weaker as if she was being pulled down back into darkness.

Finally out of exhaustion, Twilight shut her tired eyes and laid down onto the floor as a soft chuckle echoed through her head.

She became unconscious as she heard the soft hoofsteps echo through the hall.

Author's Note

Okay yes, it's a little short as well... I'm getting there, kay? It's hard to explain but I'm trying to work on the build up. I also have the next few chapters already written, just need to edit them a bit before they're published. Also, might just wait to post them just to make you wait on the edge of your seat...

(2) Battle

Author's Note

Wait, what???? I wrote 3000 words???? Wow... since when do I do that... anyway, here's the new chapter! I'm not super great at fight scenes so feedback is appreciated.

(2) Battle

"Princess!"

Twilight woke up in shock, startled slightly at the sound of Crystal Mane's voice. Her body ached slightly. She looked around, finding herself in the medic wing laying in a bed.

"Thank Celestia..." Crystal uttered under his breath. "Diamond Crystal found you unconscious in the hall, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think so..." Twilight said, rubbing her head slightly. "How long was I out?"

Crystal shook his head. "I'm not sure, but are you sure you should keep fighting like this?" he asked in concern.

Twilight was running out of time, and even though she was fighting through Chrysalis's spell, she still struggled at times. She wasn't sure how much longer she could fight, but she had to make every moment count. "I have to." She sat herself up from the bed, trying to get up and walk but Crystal put his hoof in front of her.

"You should rest, Princess," he said, but Twilight shook her head.

"I need to keep going, making every moment of my life count," she grunted slightly as she lost balance for a moment. Crystal held out his hoof ready to catch her, but she shook her head as she stood up. She slowly put one hoof in front of the other, Crystal walking beside her for balance. She turned her head and gave him a soft smile. "Thanks, Crystal."

Crystal Mane helped his friend walk out of the medic wing, gently wrapping his wing around her for comfort.

As they walked into the hallway, Diamond Crystal was waiting outside of the room, on watch duty. She saluted as she saw Twilight limp out of the room.

"At ease," Twilight muttered. "I want to thank you for helping me out, Diamond."

“I did what any other pony would do, your majesty.” Diamond replied.

Diamond Crystal was the newest royal guard. She was a bit young to come out of the graduates, but she was the highest in her class, and so many guards were either injured or died in battle so they were low on numbers.

Twilight and Crystal continued walking toward her sanctuary room. Crystal eventually carefully let her go as she regained her footing and she approached the door.

The door let out a loud creak as she entered, but she felt comfortable as she walked in. She sat herself down in front of the old remains from her home dangling from the ceiling, listening to the sounds around her.

She could hear faint laughter, remembering the old memories of her friend's adventures together, but then the memory of their death flowed through. Tears streamed down her face slightly.

“I made a promise to you guys that I would stay strong for you…” she whimpered. “And I’m going to keep that promise, no matter what it takes….”

It has been a constant struggle ever since Twilight had lost her friends, but she still prevailed, carrying on her promise to her friends. As she sat there, she could sense something strange, as if something was wrong. She had been able to connect with her friend's spirit in the room, but she struggled to find their energy here. She shook her head ignoring the thought as she just sat there in silence.

Twilight wasn't completely sure how long she was in there, but after a while, she heard the door burst open.

"Princess," Diamond Crystal wheezed as she stood in the doorway, a look of panic on her face. "We're under attack, we need your-"

All of a sudden, a large explosion went off outside the base cutting her off as the base shook slightly, causing Twilight to jump onto her hooves grabbing her helmet and weapon. "This one's for you, guys..." Twilight whispered as she felt her shield fill her with energy.

Flurry woke up in shock as she felt the base shake slightly. She heard galloping hooves and muffled explosions from outside. She figured there was another attack as she grabbed her armor and sword and rushed after her aunt who was running down the hallway with Crystal Mane and Diamond Crystal.

Despite how young she still was, she was persistent in wanting to fight in the war, so her aunt and mother had been training her from time to time when they could. She had to know how to defend herself anyway. She met up with her aunt, walking beside her.

"Stay close to me," Twilight ordered, not wanting her niece to get hurt. Flurry nodded.

The four ponies walked toward the exit, bracing themselves for any sudden attacks. Diamond quickly ignited her horn, opening the door as they all ran out into battle.

Changelings flew everywhere, attacking ponies and draining them of their love. Twilight spotted Celestia and Luna in the air, fighting off a few changelings. Cadence was fighting on the ground, defending a few guards who were carrying the injured. Twilight rushed over to her aid but the princess of love shook her head. “We need help farther north, we’re becoming overwhelmed.” Cadence explained. Twilight nodded as she and the others rushed over toward her sister mentioned, Cadence soon following behind her after tending to the wounded.

Horror flooded Twilight’s mind as she saw countless injured guards trying to limp to safety as others helped carry them across the field. Twilight rushed over to help defend the guards, refusing to let them die.

Suddenly, a small group of changelings landed in front of them. Twilight rushed toward them pulling her shield in front of her as one tried to pounce on one of the guards. She pushed it forward slightly, causing the changeling to lose his balance as he tumbled to the ground. A few other guards rushed over toward Twilight’s side and helped fight them off. A larger swarm of them began flying toward her, landing one by one.

"Flurry Heart, get back to the base and get help, hurry!" Twilight yelled as the large swarm of changelings flew toward her.

Flurry Heart nodded and soared through the air as fast as she could, her heart pounding in her chest as one of the changelings flew toward her. She turned around quickly and ignited her horn, shooting the changeling as she flew toward the base, hoping she could make it.

Twilight continued fighting as she spotted Chrysalis flying through the air toward Cadence. She charged toward her sister trying to help her fight but stopped in her tracks when she heard Flurry Heart let out a loud scream as a changeling popped out of nowhere, attacking her. "Somepony, go help her!" Twilight yelled as she chased after Chrysalis. A guard ran toward Flurry’s direction. Twilight didn't take notice of who it was.

Twilight stopped suddenly as a changeling landed in front of her. She prepared herself to fight, but she stopped and dropped her sword and shield as her face filled with shock as small tears formed in her eyes slightly. She stared at a stallion with an orange coat and blue spiked mane wearing Crystal Empire armor.

"Flash....?" Twilight whispered, her voice shaking. "Is that really you...?" She slowly took a step forward and reached out her hoof.

"Twilight, look out!" Crystal yelled trying to run toward his friend with his sister at his side, but two strange-looking changelings pounced on him, holding him down, two more holding down Diamond.

Twilight turned her head slightly but suddenly screamed out in pain, her horn throbbing. She felt something warm dripping from her head, causing her to open her eyes. Crystal Mane tried running toward her, but the changelings held him firm. They began walking him forward toward a small circle of changeling guards. Crystal Mane stared in horror at the sight before him.

Twilight stared at the ground, seeing a small puddle of blood, dripping fresh. Before she could react, Twilight felt herself being pinned to the ground, hitting her head on a small rock causing her to go dizzy slightly. She cringed in pain as she opened her eyes, finding two creatures pinning her down, but she couldn't tell if they were ponies or changelings.

Chrysalis landed beside her and stomped her hoof onto the ground next to Twilight's head, chuckling as she stared at the princess lying helpless on the ground. "Well done, children," she uttered. The pony resembling Flash walked beside Chrysalis and changed to a form of a changeling with the same mane. Twilight couldn’t believe what she was seeing before her eyes.

A few guards tried to rush toward Twilight to help her out, but changelings landed in front of them, blocking them off. They slowly walked toward them slightly, but Chrysalis glared at them slightly telling them to stay put. They reluctantly obeyed.

Twilight's vision regained slightly. She stared at the two creatures pinning her down and stared in shock. “Rainbow Dash…? Shining Armor?” She grunted in pain.

Chrysalis let out a soft chuckle. “Honestly, Twilight, you know they’re dead, you saw it with your own eyes.” She uttered. “These are my new children, aren’t they wonderful?”

Twilight just stared in shock as she couldn’t believe what she was staring at before her.

“What’s wrong Twilight?” Chrysalis chuckled. “Do they look familiar…?”

Twilight shook her head when she heard a scream behind her. She turned her head finding her niece cowering slightly. Twilight struggled against the changelings' grasp, trying to rush back into the battle and push on despite the nagging pain. Chrysalis let out a chuckle as she watched the princess before her squirm. Chrysalis nodded slightly, causing the two changelings to let Twilight go. She rushed over to help the others, but only stopped in her tracks as she stared in shock at the scene before her.

She watched as ponies backed up against walls as changelings cornered them, either murdering them or draining their strength. Twilight’s eyes grew wide in fear as she spotted her niece trying to help protect the injured who were surrounded. Twilight ran over to her hoping to help her.

Chrysalis watched as her children waited for orders.

“I say we attack now!” one changeling said with a light pink mane.

“Patience, Gossamershy,” Chrysalis muttered.

“But why wait, and not attack now? She’s weakened!” Another with a short blue and white mane grumbled.

“Trust me, Shining Chitin. We must be patient, children then good will come to us.”

Flurry Heart held her stance, trying not to show any fear. She swung her sword as a changeling pounced toward her letting out a soft grunt as she noticed her aunt rushing over to her side to aid her.

Suddenly, a changeling pounced from behind her, pinning her to the ground as she let out a squeal. Her sword slid across the ground away from her reach, so she tried to fight the changelings grasp and buck him off her, but he held her firm. Twilight rushed over and shoved her shield against the changeling, glaring. Flurry quickly hid behind her aunt grabbing her sword to defend herself.

“Not my niece, you fly!” Twilight cursed.

The changeling chuckled loudly as his tongue slithered out slightly. “I am going to enjoy killing you two…” He hissed.

Flurry let out a soft whimper as she hid behind her aunt. Twilight carefully put her wing around her for comfort. “I know you’re scared right now, but we have to be brave.” She whispered. Flurry nodded her head slightly. “I need you to help the guards take the injured back to the base.”

“Are you sure it’s safe…?” Flurry whimpered.

“Honestly, no. But we have to get these ponies to safety, and fast.” Twilight saw Chrysalis flying toward them in the sky. She let Flurry go, pushing her forward with her wing. “Run!”

Flurry quickly got onto her hooves and ran as fast as she could, but a changeling landed in front of her, stopping dead in her tracks. She tried to run the other direction, but the changeling pounced onto her.

“No!” Twilight yelled dropping her shield and ran toward her niece but another changeling jumped in front of Twilight, pinning her down. She squirmed. “Chrysalis, just let her go, she has no part of this and you know it!”

Chrysalis just stared at Twilight, pinned to the ground with her horn covered in blood.

Twilight looked over toward her niece, fear in her eyes as she tried to escape her captor. Twilight’s eyes grew wide as she saw who the changeling was, holding a resemblance to her brother, but she said nothing.

“Recognize him, Twilight?” Chrysalis chuckled.

The changelings pulled her up off the ground, then let her go as Chrysalis walked up closer to her, a smug grin on her face.

"What did you do to them...?" Twilight growled as her voice shook slightly and tears streamed down her face.

"You see Twilight. After I was banished from Canterlot, many of my minions were either killed or injured. Many of my eggs were somehow poisoned in a way, causing them to be unable to hatch. With the location having a low food supply, many of us began to go hungry. I knew I had to do something to save my subjects, no matter what the cost was. I managed to find an old ancient spell, that can trap the soul of a pony in a gem, and make them reborn.” Chrysalis smiled as she watched Twilight’s face. "I did what I had to do to save my children," Chrysalis said putting a fake pout on her face as she tried to hold back a chuckle.

Twilight was filled with rage, her face glaring at Chrysalis. Her horn began to spark slightly. "What is wrong with you...?" Twilight said, her voice shaking. "How can you be so broken inside, and take so many lives, and then come here and rub it in our faces like it's something to be proud of?!"

"Twilight-" Crystal said trying to walk to her side, but she flung her wings out in anger as she stomped her hoof on the ground, startling him slightly.

"All with that dumb smile on your face!!" Her horn sparked more as she lashed out at the monster before her, tears rolling down her face.

The rest of the remaining guards who weren’t captured or cornered pulled out their weapons. A few injured ponies stared at the scene before them.

"I’m gonna make you pay for what you did, do you hear me Chrysalis?! Well?! SAY SOMETHING!!"

Chrysalis glared a smile at Twilight as if her rage was filling her. She let out a chuckle, echoing throughout Twilight's ears. “You’re such a fool…” she muttered.

Twilight screamed out in anger as she grabbed her shield letting it fold itself away attatching it to the side of her armor as she charged toward Chrysalis, the other ponies following her, but an army of changelings blocked their path, only allowing the princess through. The whole room broke into an attack.

Flurry Heart ignited her horn, hitting her captor as she flew into the air and ran to go help the others.

“FIGHT TO THE DEATH!” The Queen roared.

"Twilight!" Crystal yelled, concerned for his friend. Twilight didn't listen, her rage driving her forward.

Twilight screamed out as she swung her hoof at Chrysalis, but the attack was blocked off with her magic. The hybrid changelings flew into view, landing beside their queen, charging toward Twilight. She tried to fight back her emotions as she saw the forms of her friends who died so long ago so she could not fight. She quickly soared into the air trying to avoid them, but Flash Fire, Glittering Wings, and Gossamershy followed her. Memories with her friends kept flashing through her mind as she tried to concentrate. She flew as fast as she could, trying to lose them, but couldn’t.

“I can’t fight them like this!” She thinks to herself as her head throbs slightly from the wound.

She slowly looked up to see an orange blur flying above her. As the fogginess cleared she saw it was Flash.

Flash charged toward her for an attack but Twilight did a barrel roll to dodge but ended up crashing into a wall nearby. She shook her head trying to regain her focus, landing onto the ground. She noticed that Glittering Wings and Gossamershy had vanished for a moment, causing her to get slightly distracted.

Flash charged toward her again, managing to ram into her causing her to tumble into the ground. Twilight let out a few coughs as her body grew sore from the attack. She stared up at the stallion form before her. Tears formed in her eyes slightly as memories flashed through her mind of the stallion she loved from years ago.

“Flash, you don’t have to do this!” Twilight plead. “I love you!”

Flash only ignored her, attacking once more. “I don't know who you are, but I'm not going to let some, pony survive since I serve my queen.” Flash Fire said. “The changeling kingdom shall rise above them all!”

“Flash, please!” Twilight cried. “I don’t want to hurt you, you’re my friend!”

Flash Fire charged toward her once more, knocking her into a wall. “Why can’t you accept that he’s gone! Get over him!”

Twilight shook her head as she pulled out her shield shoving it against him as he charged again and again, shoving him off to the side as two more hybrids came running up to her. She tried to block any attack each one who came at her, but it felt as if every shove brought forth another.

“I don’t want to hurt you guys!”

The hybrids flew up into the air, disappearing. Twilight looked around, trying to stay on guard for another attack.

"Aagh!" Cadence screamed out in pain.

Twilight turned her head in shock, she stared at her sister, barely lifting herself on the ground, panting hard. She looked at the hybrid changeling, Shining Chitin before her, sorrow filling her eyes as she stared up at the changeling before her. She could not fight him.

"Are you going to let her die too, Twilight?" Chrysalis asked as she appeared out of the shadows.

Twilight stared at the queen, anger filling her eyes. "You stop messing with me, Chrysalis you snake!" Twilight screamed as tears fell from her eyes. "Just shut up!"

"But Twilight," Chrysalis chuckled. "It's so much fun..."

Chrysalis ignited her horn once more, Twilight dodging before it could hit her as large bits of debris flew past her. She pulled out her wings to shield her face, then charged once more. Chrysalis blocked off the attack, igniting a large shield beam around herself, managing to make an impact with Twilight causing her to be flung away.

Twilight fell to the ground, grunting slightly. Chrysalis walked up to her as Glittering Wings and Flash Fire appeared, pinning her to the ground, pushing her hard. "You didn't think you could actually get away with that, did you, Twilight?" Chrysalis chuckled. “Just accept that you’ve lost.”

“Never!” Twilight spat in her face, causing Flash Fire to kick her into the side. She coughed slightly as Glittering Wings kicked her harder into her side as well. Twilight grunted in pain.

"You're just a ticking death bomb..." Chrysalis growled as they pushed her down harder causing her to cry out in more pain. "Just waiting to die..."

Twilight stared at Chrysalis as slight tears formed in her eyes. "I don't care if I die here," Twilight grunted. "If I die saving them, then that's what matters to me..."

Twilight watched ponies fighting beside her sister and the princesses. Chrysalis let out another chuckle. "Oh, really...? Is that so?" She stared over at Cadence, thrown to the floor by Shining Chitin. Chrysalis's chuckle grew louder as her horn ignited, summoning a shadow-like bow.

Twilight's face turned into one of shock. "No!" she yelled. Chrysalis walked toward Cadence. Twilight staggered as she tried to get onto her hooves and rush to her aid, but Flash Fire and Glittering Wings pinned her down to the ground. "Chrysalis, you monster!" she said as she struggled hard against the hybrid changelings’ grasp.

Chrysalis ignored her, pulling back the arrow, it's darkness surrounding the bow. She finally let it release as it soared through the air. She watched it as she smiled watching it soar.

"CADENCE, LOOK OUT!!!" Twilight shrieked, knowing she was unable to run up to her. Cadence turned her head to the cry but was too late.

Cadence let out a small gasp, then struggled to find air. She slowly stared down at her chest, finding a dark arrow coming out of her. Her head grew fuzzy as her eyes slowly shut and she fell to the ground. Then everything went black. The last thing she heard was a scream.

-To Be Continued...-

(3) Loss

Author's Note

Ooookay, let's hope I don't take a whole scene from RWBY this time...but that's one of my fave parts of that episode and I hate how the guy just sat there watching his love be stabbed. DAG NABIT JAUNE JUST SAVE WISSE ALREADY DON'T JUST STAND THERE!!! (if u didn't know that and are mad at me for that shame on you, you had your chance)

This also might be the last big battle scene you guys get for a while, cuz I feel like this was a good start but now need to die down a bit and catch up with other things I have planned. Feedback is appreciated.

Also, this one might sound a bit sloppy again, so sorry for that. I'm also doing a project for this, and need help for it. You can find the details here. (it's supposed to be a type of surprise)

Another note, I might move both this story and Cold to my other fimfic, so I'm still thinking about that...

(3) Loss

"CADENCE!!!" Twilight screamed.

Everyone in the room froze, shock filling their mind at what they were staring at. The world suddenly felt as if it was slowing around Twilight, the faint distant explosions and attacks draining out of her mind. She finally managed to pull away from the changelings grasp and rushed over to her sister's side, holding her in her hooves. Tears streamed down her face as she stared into her sister's eyes and grabbed onto her hoof. "Cadence, wake up... wake up!" she cried. "Please..."

Cadence slowly opened her eyes as she stared at her sister. "Twilight...." Cadence struggled to speak as she gripped her sister's hoof softly.

"I'm right here, Cadence. I'm right here!" Twilight said, trying not to lose her. "What is it?"

Cadence stared blankly at her for a moment as her chest moved up and down slowly. She gently brought a hoof to Twilight's face, smiling slightly. "Take care of Flurry for me..."

Horror shocked her mind. "No, Cadence! Don't go, I need you, Flurry needs you." Twilight struggled to find her words. "I can't lose you too, please, don't go! You’re going to be alright, just… hang in there, please!" Cadence's grip grew weaker as her eyes slowly shut and she took her last breath. Twilight's eyes stung with tears as memories flashed back into her mind of her friend's death. "Somepony, help! Please!" She sunk into her sister's chest, tears pouring down her face as explosions went off around her, screaming out in agony.

Many of the guards and fighters began to retreat, trying to get the others to safety as changelings swarmed around them for another attack, the numbers larger than before.

Changelings began pouncing onto the ponies, pinning them to the ground as they drained them, or dragged them away into the dungeon. Many of the guards tried to help pull others away, but there were too many. Crystal Mane sprang into action, trying to get to Twilight through the crowd.

"Twilight!" he yelled, struggling to fight through the crowd of changelings, being pulled away. He flapped his wings hard as he tried to fly out of their reach, but he was surrounded. He stared in horror as he watched the Queen quicken her pace toward the princess causing him to struggle more.

Bright sparks ignited from Twilight's horn as she cried out in agony, but then quickly turned to pain as she felt a blast of magic hit her causing her to fall to the ground slightly. She looked up, finding Chrysalis charging toward her holding a large spear. Her face turned to one of pure terror as she watched the monster charging toward her.

Suddenly, Crystal finally managed to escape and rushed in front of her, sliding onto the ground as he placed his shield on top of his hooves, another guard charging toward it. Crystal gave him a boost into the air as he bucked the changeling in the face throwing the queen off balance. Chrysalis roared out in pain and anger as she drew back slightly. She faced the helpless crystal guard in front of her, igniting her horn as Diamond jumped in front of him igniting her horn around him and the others to shield them.

A few guards took this opportunity and rushed out trying to create a pathway so everyone could escape. Twilight panted hard trying to ignore the pain as she watched Chrysalis roaring in anger trying to break the shield. Her head spun slightly as her body became exhausted, causing her to collapse to the ground. She struggled to get back onto her hooves, due to the blast of magic from Chrysalis. Her eyes grew heavy.

"Somepony, grab Cadence!" Diamond yelled, struggling to keep up the giant shield for much longer as Chrysalis's attacks grew. Two guards rushed over to Twilight and Cadence's side, rushing them toward the infirmary, Twilight barely to keep her eyes open.

“Hang in there, Princess.” Crystal whispered.

Some time had passed since they managed to escape from the battle, and Twilight had some time to regain her senses. Thankfully, the blast of Chrysalis’s magic wasn’t too severe. She sat in a private medical room with Crystal Mane as he pulled out a bandage from a nearby first aid kit in a small closet. He walked toward the injured princess and began to gently wrap her horn. After a moment of silence, Twilight spoke up.

“What happened to the others?” she asked. “Did they get out?”

Crystal paused for a moment as he finished bandaging her horn letting out a soft sigh. “Everyone is fine, but…” He struggled to find his words. “Many were severely injured…”

“Can I see them?”

Crystal tied the bandage up and helped the princess back onto her hooves, walking her to the medical bay. They walked slowly trying to process the events that happened from the day. Once they got to the door, Crystal let out another sigh as he looked at Twilight in the eyes with sorrow, holding back a few tears.

“I do apologize, Your Majesty, we saved as many as we could but there were just too many-“

“I understand, Crystal.“ Twilight uttered. “I know the sacrifices we have to make in this war, just let me see them.”

“I do warn you though, it can seem like a bit of a shock…” Crystal said as he opened the door. The princess walked in eagerly.

Twilight stared in shock at how many ponies lay injured in the medic wing, groaning in pain as they lay exhausted on the beds. She scanned the room trying to find her niece, hoping she made it alright.

“Where’s Flurry Heart?” Twilight asked after a moment.

Crystal Mane hung his head slightly before he spoke. “She was captured, along with many others... including Diamond…” He sighed.

Shock overwhelmed Twilight’s mind as her head grew slightly fuzzy once more and lost her balance for a moment. Crystal quickly caught her before she fell. Tears streamed down her face as she began to mumble to herself.

“No… I… she….” she stuttered. “This is my fault, I sent her into the danger… I… I…”

“Princess, you have to calm down.” Crystal said trying to remain calm.

“I can’t lose her too, I promised Cadence and Shining…” her voice trailed off as she remembered her friends. “Oh, sweet Celestia, what has Equestria come to…?” Crystal just held his friend in his arms. “I sound so selfish right now, not just her has been lost… I'm sorry that you lost your sister, Crystal.”

“Don't apologize, you are not selfish.” Crystal said. “I think of it as a normal reaction to this. Will you be alright?”

Twilight let out a sigh as she calmed herself down a little. “Yes, I’ll be fine. We’ll find a way to get her out, and your sister. But right now-”

“Princess?”

Twilight turned her head, finding a local pony with his hoof in a bandage, tears in his eyes. Crystal walked over to his side, putting a hoof on his shoulder, nodding at him slightly to speak.

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

“Forgive my interruption, but...Princess Flurry Heart… I tried to help her, but…” The pony's voice began to shake. He bowed his head slightly as he continued. “She was flying back to get help, but there was a swarm waiting for her. I happened to be nearby and saw her struggling, so I went back to help her. I tried to save her, but I… I…” The pony fell to the ground as he bowed himself before the princess before him. “Princess, I'm sorry… I'm so so sorry… I-”

Twilight hushed the pony as she put her wing around him. “You did the right thing, trying to save her. But you shouldn't feel ashamed for not being able to do anything about it, we have to make tough choices in this war.” She then lifted his chin a little looking at him with slight tears in her eyes. “Thank you for trying.”

“I just feel like I’ve failed the fight, you see I had lost my wife to this war and I chose to fight for her, and bring back the life our son deserves… but I’m a fool, I allowed my son to be captured when I left him unattended for, welcoming the changelings to take him away from me… I’ll never see him again…”

“You have to stay strong for him, even if they have taken your son away, you must stay strong for him. I’ll make sure you see your son again.”

The pony nodded in thanks as he walked away back over to a nurse to tend his wounds.

Twilight looked around at how many other ponies were injured. Many were fighters, and others were just civilians caught in the crossfire. She wished she could help them all, but she couldn't use her magic to help with a few healing spells, so she had to rely on the traditional methods and medic ponies. She decided to clear her head a bit so she walked outside of the room to think for a moment.

Twilight hung her head as she began to weep for her niece. “Please be alright, Flurry…” she whispered, praying to Celestia and Luna she was not being tortured in that Tartarus. But she knew that if Diamond was there with her, she would be alright. But she must be so frightened, she’s brave but she’s still young. She can’t fight an entire army on her own.

“She's strong, she'll be alright.“ Twilight thought to herself. “I hope…”

Flurry Heart lay in a cold jail cell shivering slightly with Diamond Crystal at her side. Tears streamed down her face as she felt completely afraid. She felt like she had been here before, a very long time ago.

She noticed a few other ponies who were fighting with her were captured as well, many of them young innocent foals who had nothing to do with the war.

Eager to get her mind off the subject, she turned and faced toward Diamond. “What’s gonna happen to us…?” She whimpered.

“I don’t know,” she whispered gently stroking her mane to keep her calm. “But we’re gonna be alright, we have to be brave.”

“...I’m scared…” Flurry admitted. “What if we don’t get out of here…?”

“We’re going to be alright, okay? As long as you got me, you’ll be okay.”

Flurry clung onto her friend, nodding her head slightly as she trembled in fear.

Suddenly, they heard the door open, Chrysalis walking in and toward the two pony’s cell. Flurry backed away in fear as Diamond stood up glaring at the queen before her. The young alicorn princess hid behind her, peeking out slightly. She had heard stories of what this monster had done and didn’t want any of it to happen to her.

“What do you want from us?” Diamond uttered.

Chrysalis let out a loud chuckle as she stared over at Flurry Heart. She let out a soft whimper as she turned away facing the wall behind her curling into a ball. Diamond stood in front of her, putting her hoof over her shoulder for comfort.

“No!” She yelled. “Just take me instead!”

Flurry quickly turned and faced her friend and objected.

“Diamond, no! You can’t!” Flurry squeaked grabbing onto her hoof. Diamond turned and looked at the young princess.

“My duty is to put you and the princesses safety over mine, Princess Flurry.” She turned and hugged the filly. “But promise that if something happens, you’ll get out safely.” She whispered.

Flurry Heart hugged the royal guard tightly. She had almost felt like a sister to her.

Chrysalis ignited her horn, lifting Diamond out of the cell and began chaining her outside. A flash of a memory from long ago in Flurry’s mind of when her father was tortured by this monster. She did know this place...

“Oh, no…” Flurry whispered. She stared at the pony chained up in front of her.

“You’re never going to get away with this, you monster!” Diamond spat. “We’ll find a way to stop you once and for all!”

Chrysalis chuckled as she ignited her horn once more, shooting a blast of magic at the unicorn guard. “I already have, foal.”

Diamond screamed out in pain as her coat color glowed brightly. Chrysalis’ laughter echoed through the cell room as she took pleasure in the creature's plea. Flurry stared horrified as she watched her friend go through the torture.

The screams suddenly stopped as her coat color dimmed and Diamond fell to the ground lifeless.

A few changelings walked in, some half breed, others the dying species. Shining Chitin, the new changeling guard, brought forth a lifeless body of a changeling. He dragged it in front of his queen, then backed away a few feet. Chrysalis ignited her horn once more toward the body of the dead creature.

The dead changeling started to glow slightly as it slowly came back to life. Chrysalis stopped the spell and watched as her new child had come to life.

The changeling stood up, slowly growing a short light blue mane, resembling the crystal guard. She looked around slightly confused at her new surroundings, not really understanding what had happened. The queen of the changelings just smiled with a smug grin and a soft chuckle.

“Put her with the others, you know what to do,” she ordered. Shining gestured to another half breed, instructing him to take the new creature to the training room with the others.

Chrysalis turned to face the young alicorn, smiling as she saw the look of pure terror in her eyes. Flurry wanted to speak up but struggled to find her voice so she just let out a whimper in fear.

“Bring me the others, we have much to do to prepare our new army,” Chrysalis uttered as she glared a smile at Flurry Heart. “And make sure she’s not left alone in here in the risk of an escape or rescue.”

(4) Dreams

Flurry Heart curled into a ball, shivering and whimpering in her cage. She could hear the distant buzzing of the hive outside of the dungeon's doors and the whimpers of the other captive ponies. The image of Diamond Crystal becoming one of the hybrids lined the backs of her eyelids, forcing her to see it every time she blinked, her friend’s screams echoing in her ears. Suddenly, Flurry heard the murmur of distant voices. Her ears perked up as she opened her eyes to look around.

She found herself in the middle of a battlefield, standing alone unarmed. She looked around confused, unable to find anypony she recognized. She turned around, seeing an old crumbling castle, and she began walking toward it. As she grew closer, she began recognizing little details, a spire here, the color there. Suddenly the pieces fell into place and she began running. This is Twilight’s castle! The door was already crumbling and falling off its hinges but the gilded frame stood tall, like a doorway into her memories.

“Auntie? Hello, I’m back!” she called.

A voice seemed to answer her, and she began to explore, looking for the origin of it, but the deeper into the castle ruins, the creepier the voice became. False warmth grew cold, pretended cheer faded, a menacing chuckle taking its place.

“H-hello…?” she stammered. “Is anypony there…? Auntie?” She trembled as the chuckle built into a laugh. She covered her ears, trying to block it out, but it only grew louder in response. “Queen Chrysalis…” She whimpered. “No, not here.”

She spun and began running, but no matter where she went the voice followed. The grand assembly hall, Twilight’s room, even her old room when she used to stay over. She stumbled and blinked tears from her eyes as she dashed into the map room. The voice, Chrysalis's voice, only came closer. Flurry spun around, searching, but only managed to trip over her own hooves. She scrambled to keep her footing.

The laughter grew causing Flurry to panic, driving her onward. She prayed, pleaded, that it was only a dream, little more than a nightmare.

Suddenly a changeling jumped out in front of her, blocking her exit. She let out a frightened scream and ignited her horn. She spun around, only to find another changeling once again blocking her escape. She turned, finding more and more changelings surrounding her, blocking her, pinning her, halting her escape. Almost forgotten memories resurfaced, screams, a white body pinned under too many black bodies, trust shattered, red, so much red.

She frantically looked around for an opening, any opening as her magic fizzled. She spread her wings but before she could take off a changeling pinned her down, black spots began to fill her vision as she panicked more.

“Somepony, help me!” She cried, desperate.

As the changelings closed ranks, smiling and grinning at each other, an explosion sounded in the distance, a war cry going up. She watched as a pony coalesced in the smoke and began flying toward her. “Aunt Twilight, help me!” She called.

Flurry watched as Twilight came closer, details becoming apparent. No, she refused to believe what she was seeing. Twilight, her Twilight had become one of the hybrids, a monster created by the one standing at her side, still laughing, her body was covered in lifeless chitin, her mane lost its personality, her eyes emotionless as she stared at Flurry. Queen Chrysalis, it’s all her fault, her Auntie is gone, replaced by a monster! She whimpered in fear as the two creatures walked toward her, horns glowing.

“Auntie…?” She wept.

Twilight coldly glared at her, making eye contact as she ignited her horn, shooting a blast of twisted magic at the young alicorn.

Flurry woke up in fright at the sound of her cell door opening. She looked over to find Shining Chitin throwing in a new pony and slamming the door behind him. He looked like he was only a year or two younger than her. He had a silver-colored coat and a white crystalline mane.

The pony jumped at the sound of the door slamming as he looked at his new surroundings. Flurry stood and walked over to him. He tensed up at the sound of her hoofsteps, but relaxed when he saw her.

“Don’t worry, it’s alright,” She said. “What’s your name?”

The younger pony stared at her for a moment. “S-Silver Hoof.” He stuttered.

“I’m Princess Flurry Heart, but you probably already know that.”

Silver nodded his head. “So… What’s going to happen to us…?” He asked nervously.

Flurry looked down at her hooves. “I… I don’t know…” She muttered. “My friend was turned into a hybrid by Chrysalis…”

Silver’s eyes grew wide with fear. “D-does that mean, that I’m going to become one too…?”

Flurry just turned her head away and shrugged. Silver rushed over to her side and clung to her, refusing to let her go.

“I’m scared…”

“Me too,” She said. “But, I promise to protect you. It’s my duty.”

Twilight walked around the battlefield. She looked around, confused by the sudden change in her surroundings. She saw no ponies on the battlefield, no changelings, no bodies either, just an empty, barren, field. Something was off, it hadn’t been this quiet since before the war started.

She heard hoofsteps behind her, finding Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. She turned around to face them. “Princesses, what’s going on?” she asked. “Where is everypony?”

The two sisters stared at her blankly not acknowledging her. Suddenly, their forms changed. Their hooves now had holes and their manes were messy. Horror filled her mind as she turned around, finding Diamond Crystal changed as well, along with her friends, new and old alike.

“No…” Twilight murmured. “This can’t be true… I refuse to believe this!” She looked over to Flash Sentry as tears streamed down her face. She rushed up to him, putting her hooves on his face, and stared into his eyes. “I know you’re still in there, you’re stronger than Chrysalis’ magic! Fight back!” she said as her tears fell from her eyes. “I know you’re still in there!” Flash just stared blankly into the distance, unaffected by her plea.

“Oh, Twilight. You still try, but face it. They’re gone, and are mine now…” Chrysalis chuckled as her voice filled her ears. “A deceased mind is oh so easy to manipulate after all..”

Twilight stared into the air, glaring and letting out a scream as tears flowed down her cheeks. “Show yourself, monster!” She roared.

“Face it, Princess, you already lost. After all...”

Twilight found herself surrounded by a group of changelings as she felt something inside of her growing. That something grew painful as Twilight fell to her knees. A green aura surrounded her, slowly crawling up her hooves as holes began to form and grow, chitin replacing fur.

“You’re one of them as well.”

Twilight woke up in a panic, falling out of her bed. She landed on her side, her missing wing flaring up and causing her to cry out in pain. The fear she had felt in the dream, slowly washed away from her mind as she came to her senses. She gently massaged her wing sump, taking a deep breath.

Crystal Mane rushed in with a look of panic on his face. "Princess, are you alright?" he said as he rushed over.

"I'm alright, just another nightmare," she muttered as she winced, supporting her weight on her bed as she stood off the floor. Crystal hurried to help her up.

“Princess, I think you should do something about these nightmares,” he sighed. “I don’t want you getting any more hurt.”

“I’ll be fine, Crystal,” Twilight replied. “I’m going to go check on Cadence.”

“Would you like me to escort Your Highness?”

“Yes, just remain outside the infirmary.”

Crystal nodded as Twilight leaned against him for support and walked into the hallway.

Twilight walked into the infirmary room where her sister-in-law was. She walked over to her side, holding onto her hoof.

"I had another nightmare, they seem to just get worse and worse…" Twilight croaked tears streaming down her face. "I just wish there was some way we could end this war…" Twilight then broke down sobbing as she cried into her sister-in-law’s side.

A beetle shape object flew in through an open window. Twilight paid no attention to the floating object due to her sobs. It fluttered above Cadence landing on the ceiling and shrinking down to a speck of dust. It glowed bright green as an aura floated from Cadence’s body.

Suddenly, her heart monitor let out a long beep, causing Twilight to panic.

“CELESTIA, LUNA! ANYPONY GET IN HERE!” She yelled.

Crystal Mane and a nurse rushed into the room. “What’s going on?” asked Crystal.

Meanwhile, the nurse rushes to Cadence’s bedside but stopped once she got there.

“Just save her! Please!” Twilight cried.

“There’s nothing I can do… she’s gone.”

“No, no! There must be something!” Twilight yelled “Celestia, Luna!”

“Twilight stop!” Crystal mane nearly shouted, “Even the princesses cant bring ponies back from the dead!”

Twilight collapsed into his arms, wailing.

Author's Note

After three long years... a new chapter!!!!!! Sorry that it's a little short, but I plan to make up for it. Chapter five is in progress and I plan to HOPEFULLY post it really soon!

A huge thank you to Everfree Pony for helping me with some feedback, I tried my best to use your advice, and a big thanks to my editor Griphongirl_Ellie for helping me add some little bit of magic to the story!